Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Make Explosive Comeback on Spanish Soil
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to step onto Spanish territory for the first time in three years as Al Nassr faces Almería in a pre-season exhibition match.
While Al Nassr may have fallen short of qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup, the Saudi Arabian team has maintained an active summer transfer window. The organization secured Ronaldo's services with a two-year extension and recently finalized João Félix's acquisition in a transaction reportedly valued at up to £43.7 million ($58.7 million).
Despite potential additional signings on the horizon, Al Nassr must focus on their forthcoming European pre-season campaign. Jorge Jesus's squad will travel to Austria, England and Spain as preparation for the 2025–26 campaign, which commences in slightly more than three weeks.
The demanding itinerary provides Ronaldo with an opportunity to return to Spain, where he dedicated nine seasons performing for Real Madrid. Al Nassr's expedition wraps up with a fixture at UD Almería Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 10.
Ronaldo is well-acquainted with the Southern Spanish venue; the Portuguese icon previously netted four goals across four matches at UD Almería Stadium during his tenure in the famous white jersey.
The 40-year-old was absent last season when Al Nassr encountered Almería, extending his anticipated return to Spain. Ronaldo's most recent appearance on Spanish ground occurred in 2022 when Manchester United met Real Sociedad in Europa League competition.
Numerous supporters across Spain will be enthusiastic to welcome Ronaldo back to the nation where he elevated his already remarkable career to unprecedented levels. The Portugal skipper claimed 16 honors with Real Madrid, including four Champions League crowns, and possesses virtually every scoring milestone in the club's history.
While Ronaldo will now don a yellow jersey, he will still attract crowds of admirers hoping to witness one of football's all-time greats perform live. However, there remains a possibility that the striker may be rested for this encounter, considering Al Nassr's Super Cup clash against Al Ittihad follows just nine days afterward.